2003 Dodge RAM: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
53 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
38,750 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 26 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 53 complaints (9.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 10 | 18.9% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 9.4% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 9.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 7.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 3.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 1.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 5 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Structure | 4 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 3 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 3 |
| Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
Engine And Engine Cooling: 5; Electrical System: 4; Structure: 4; Air Bags:Frontal: 3; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 3; Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 12 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 12; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 2
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (12). 27 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 10 |
| 2004 | 20 |
| 2005 | 5 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 6 |
2002: 2; 2003: 10; 2004: 20; 2005: 5; 2006: 2; 2007: 5; 2009: 1; 2011: 2; 2012: 6
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 5 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10007256 · 2003-01-28 (January 28, 2003)
2003 DODGE DIESEL TRUCK. THE THROTTLE LINKAGE POSITION FAILED WHILE THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ENGAGED GOING UP A STEEP INCLINE. T HE SENSOR BECAME STUCK AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DECELERATE GOING DOWN THE HILL. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10007256 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10017605 · 2003-04-25 (April 25, 2003)
WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN IDLE, THERE WAS AN "OVERWHELMING" DIESEL SMELL WHICH ENTERED THE PASSENGER CABIN THROUGH THE VENTS. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10017605 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10019966 · 2003-05-15 (May 15, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10019966 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10022611 · 2003-06-06 (June 6, 2003)
THE CONSUMER WAS SELF INSPECTING THE VEHICLE AND HE NOTICED THE FLUID LEVEL WAS READING LOW. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10022611 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10026938 · 2003-08-07 (August 7, 2003)
CONSUMER STATED THAT BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SAFETY BELTS DID NOT RETRACT. ONCE IT WAS PULLED FROM THE HOUSING IT HUNG LOOSE BECAUSE THERE WAS NO TENSION IN THE BELTS. THE BELTS WERE PREVIOUSLY REPLACED, AND ONLY WORKED PROPERLY FOR 2 WEEKS, THEN THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE SEAT BELT TWISTED AT THE TOP OF THE REAR POST. *AK *CB *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10026938 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10029589 · 2003-07-17 (July 17, 2003)
WHILE TRAVELING 65MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING FELT VIBRATION DUE TO DRIVESHAFT BREAKING. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10029589 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10037681 · 2003-09-23 (September 23, 2003)
FUEL IS LEAKING FROM A HIGH PRESSURE FITTING, AND MAY BE DRIPPING ON THE MANIFOLD OR THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. CONSUMER FEELS THAT EVENTUALLY THIS WILL CAUSE A SERIOUS FIRE. *AK THIS WAS THE SECOND FUEL LEAK FROM THE FUEL INJECTOR SYSTEM. *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10037681 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10040229 · 2003-09-12 (September 12, 2003)
FUEL LEAKED FROM THE VEHICLE'S FUEL INJECTION.*MR THE VEHICLE HAD EXPERIENCED THIS FAILURE TWICE. THIS MOTOR YEAR HAD UNDERGONE A REDESIGN OF THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM FOR 2003 MODEL YEAR AND MAY HAVE A DESIGN FLAW WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. *PH *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10040229 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
03V033000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Reported: 2003-02-05 (February 5, 2003)
CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, EQUIPPED WITH CUMMINS DIESEL ENGINES AND MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS, MAY EXPERIENCE AN ELEVATED IDLE SPEED AFTER EXTENDED CRUISE CONTROL USE.
Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND A REDUCTION IN BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE SOFTWARE IN THE CUMMINS ENGINE CONTROLLER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 10, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
NHTSA campaign record ↗04V185000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module
Reported: 2004-04-12 (April 12, 2004)
ON CERTAIN VAN AND WAGON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4-WHEEL ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEMS (ABS), AFTERMARKET BATTERIES MAY LEAK ELECTROLYTE ONTO THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR, WHICH CAN COMPROMISE SEALING INTEGRITY OF THE CONNECTOR.
Consequence: THIS MAY ALLOW DEVELOPMENT OF A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE CONNECTOR, WHICH COULD EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR FOR ELECTROLYTE DAMAGE AND REPLACE THE CONNECTOR AS NECESSARY. THE RECALL WILL BEGIN ON SEPTEMBER 27, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
NHTSA campaign record ↗